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The reference values of peak expiratory flow rate in Thailand children
Klaita Srisingh1, Chutima Phuaksaman1
1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand.
Insights
This study establishes normal peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) reference equations for Thai children aged 6-18. Height, weight, and age are key predictors for PEFR in both males and females.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Respiratory Physiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Daily peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) monitoring aids asthma management.
- Lung function varies significantly based on factors like geography, ethnicity, and anthropometrics.
- Establishing regional PEFR norms is crucial for accurate clinical assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the normal range of PEFR for Thai children.
- To develop predictive PEFR equations specific to Thai children in a suburban environment.
- To identify key anthropometric and demographic factors influencing PEFR in this population.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 1,920 healthy Thai children aged 6-18 years.
- Data collected in Phitsanulok Province, Thailand, from February 2014 to January 2015.
- Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) measured using the Wright peak flow meter, with the highest of three attempts recorded.
Main Results:
- The study included 719 males and 1,201 females with a median age of 18 years.
- Mean height, weight, BMI, and PEFR were 155.98 cm, 51.38 kg, 20.62 kg/m², and 339.31 L/min, respectively.
- Developed sex-specific regression equations showing linear relationships between PEFR and age, height, and weight. Age was the strongest predictor for males (r=0.838), while height was significant for females (r=0.532).
Conclusions:
- Provided normal PEFR ranges for Thai children aged 6-18 in Phitsanulok.
- Height, weight, and age were identified as significant determinants of PEFR.
- The developed regression equations can aid in monitoring respiratory health in Thai children.
Background:
Daily evaluation of peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) is quite useful for monitoring and adjusting an asthmatic patient's treatment. Many factors including geography, ethnicity, socio-economic conditions, gender, and anthropometric play a role in lung function differences studies have found. The aim of this study is to present normal PEFR and to establish a PEFR equation for Thai children living in a suburban environment.
Methods:
This study includes a cross-section of healthy children aged 6 to 18. It was conducted in Phitsanulok Province in the lower north of Thailand. The children were chosen to participate from five primary and secondary schools over the period from February 2014 to January 2015. The children were instructed on how to use the Wright peak flow meter (Clement Clarke International Ltd.). All of the participants performed PEFR 3 times and the highest value was recorded.
Results:
A total of 2,000 students were initially examined; 80 students were excluded from the study. A total of 1,920 healthy children were recruited between the ages of 6 and18 years. Among them, 719 (37.4%) were males and 1,201 (62.6%) were females. The median age was 18 [12-18] years old, mean height, weight, body mass index (BMI) and PEFR were 155.98±14.99 cm, 51.38±16.95 kg, 20.62±4.79 kg/m2 and 339.31±113.55 L/min, respectively. PEFR has a linear relationship in regards age, weight, height and BMI. For males, age was the strongest factor associated with PEFR (r=0.838, P<0.001). Females had a highly significant correlation between height and PEFR (r=0.532, P<0.001). The regression equations are PEFR = (1.34 × height) + (1.41 × weight) + (16.56 × age) - 137.88 for males (R2=0.751, P<0.001) and PEFR = (1.31 × height) + (0.94 × weight) + (7.30 × age) - 55.27 for females (R2=0.507, P<0.001).
Conclusions:
This research study has provided the normal range of PEFR for Thai children aged from 6 to 18 years in Phitsanulok. The data was obtained using the Wright peak flow meter. Height, weight, and age were the significant determiners of the PEFR for each sex in the regression equation.
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